The Use of Blockchain for Water Rights in Irrigation Management

Abstract

The increasing pressures of climate change, population growth, and water scarcity necessitate innovative solutions for efficient water management, particularly in agriculture. This paper explores the application of blockchain technology in the management of water rights for irrigation, presenting a novel approach to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in water allocation. Traditional water rights systems are often hindered by bureaucratic inefficiencies, lack of real-time data, and disputes among stakeholders. By leveraging blockchain's decentralized ledger system, this study illustrates how water rights can be tokenized, enabling farmers to trade water rights in real-time while ensuring compliance with legal and environmental regulations. This research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining case studies from regions where blockchain has been piloted for water management with qualitative interviews from stakeholders in the agricultural sector. The findings reveal that blockchain can significantly reduce transaction costs, mitigate conflicts over water rights, and facilitate better allocation based on real-time water availability. The technology fosters a participatory governance model by enabling stakeholders to engage in decision-making processes through smart contracts, which automate and enforce water allocation agreements without the need for intermediaries.